Mare Reproductive Health Gets Help From Newly FDA-Approved Drug

After years of intensive research, a product called SucroMate has achieved the coveted status of FDA-approved for reproductive health in mares. This is no easy feat as only two veterinary drugs obtained FDA approval in 2010. SucroMate is licensed to induce ovulation in mares being bred with fresh, cooled, or frozen semen.

"SucroMate contains a drug called deslorelin acetate," explained Edward Squires, PhD, a specialist in equine reproduction at the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center. "It is administered intramuscularly once the mare has a egg-containing follicle on her ovary measuring 35 mm in diameter or larger, is in estrus, and has a open cervix. Ovulation should occur within 48 hours of administration."

Squires played a key role in the development and testing of this product.

"I did a study at Colorado State University that was centered on determining the safety and efficacy of the product," said Squires. "We found that this drug is very safe. After (testing the drug by) administering (up to five times) the regular dose, no serious side effects were noted." Only a small number of mares had a slight swelling at the injection site, he added.

Squires and his colleagues also determined that giving the hormone for three consecutive cycles did not alter the mare`s ability to respond by ovulating.

Additional studies done by the manufacturer, Thorne Biosciences, determined that the most effective dose was 1.8 mg. They also found that after injecting 140 mares, 72% of mares ovulated within 48 hours of treatment with SucroMate, compared to only 27% of the 143 mares in the placebo group.

"This new deslorelin acetate product is a very effective tool for inducing ovulation in mares and is produced in a FDA-inspected facility here in Louisville, Ky.," Squires added. "This product should replace compounded deslorelin products and give veterinarians an FDA-registered product to use for inducing ovulation in mares."

For more detailed information about SucroMate, visit the manufacturer's website.

Disclaimer: Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.